Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1887-03-24

announced. "And shan't be back TO
dinner, so you needn't mind cooking
any. There's enough cold cakes left
over from breakfast for you.n
And Electra made no comments,
having more discretion than to question
anything her stepmother choose to say
or do.
1t was a short time after the dinner
hour when Mrs. Feyersham returned.
1.-THE old wOman's pretty sick, an
promised you might go over an stay
all night, an set up, If need be-" she
informed her daughter. "You can
walk easy enough, fur the snow amt
very deep"
Electra had no objections to make,
and indeed it would have made no diff
ference if she had, as her will was
seldom consulted.
Old Mrs. Dimity lived with her son
and grandson in q small but cosy cabin
situated in the very heart of the wood
land.
She welcomed Electra cordially, but
disclaimed the need of having anyone
sit up with her. -.
"But Pm glad to have some one to
talk to,n she added, "and to look after
things a little. Jim Tom has the
chores to do, an wood to chop, an lit
tie Sammy gifts awful tired staying in
the house with me-" ..t......
"pm a-going to ketch a squirrel in
the woods for pet" cried Sammy,
seizing his cap and mittens and rush.
ing off, forgetting to close the door in
his eagerness.
Electra and Mrs. Dimity chatted for
awhile, when the old lady fell asleep,
and after time Sammy came back.
"I didn't ketch the squirrel" he an
nounced, "but look a-here what found
in a tree!n
And drawing crumpled paper from
his pocket, he laid it on Electra's lap.
miss Electra Feversham." Why, it
was her own name! And with some
natural excitement she examined the
contents of the envelop.
A valentine from Malvern Traverse9
Electra's cheeks burned as she read the
written words. ....
But how could it have got into the
tree? she wondered.
Sammy could throw no light on the
subject, except that he had climed a
tree after squirrel, and putting his
hand into hollow of a trunk he found
"And now will not be at the wind
ow to see him?" thought Electra, with
pang.
Then the thought came into her
mind: "Can she have been sent away
on purpose?
And suddenly the truth flashed over
her-her stepmother had discovered
the valentine and secreted it.
| Electra felt thrill of indignation al
the thought. r..
"It must be so," she declared. "But
l will let him know something"
| 1t was growing late, and Electra was
getting supper in the kitchen, when
Jim Tom came stamping the snow from
his feet.
He was not alone, for Electra could
hear him talking in loud, good-humor
ed tones.
Presently the kitchen door was flung
wide open, and Jim Tom was saying:
"Waik right in, Malvern, an git {
good warm fore you go.' Then tt
Electra he said: "Here's some chicken
jelly Malvern has brought to mother
his sister sent it. I'll jest turn 'em ovel
to you, fur Pm in a hurry to do the
chores. Stay to supper, Malvern.
And away he rushed.
But Malvern did not stay to supper
He stayed long enough, however, tt
learn that Electra intended to remain
all night, and that she would have tt
walk home in the morning.
"Let me come and take you home ir
the buggy" he urged.
And Electra consented.
Mrs. Feversham looked vainly from
her window at the sunrise the next
morning. No living creature appeared
But couple of hours later she wa
more surprised than pleased to behold
her daughter and Mr.. Malvern Traverse
driving leisurely up to the house.
"Well, I'leclare!' she began angrily
when the latter had driven away.
But Electra cody drew out the. in
tercepted valentine, and exhibited it tc
her astonished stepmother, who there
upon concluded it would be wisest t,
hold her peace.
But it was not until Malvern an(
Electra were married that the forme
discovered his precious valentine hat
been sent by Mrs. instead of Miss Fe
versham.
Truly, the ways of Cupid are past al
finding out, and the mischievOus little
god has many and divers expedient
for assisting the course of true love t,
run in smooth channel.
| -----s -